Forest Fires Coach After Troubled Ties with Owner

Post by : Monika

Photo: Reuters

Nottingham Forest, one of England’s most famous football clubs, has shocked the football world by sacking their head coach, Nuno Espirito Santo, early in the new 2025–26 season. The news came just a few months after Nuno had signed a new contract until 2028, and only one season after he led Forest to their best league finish in 30 years.

For many fans, this feels like a sudden change, but the truth is that tensions had been building for months between Nuno and the club’s owner, Evangelos Marinakis.

A Successful Season That Ended in Trouble

When Nuno joined Nottingham Forest, expectations were not very high. The club had only recently returned to the Premier League in 2022 after being away for over two decades. Many people thought Forest’s main goal would simply be to avoid relegation and stay in the top flight.

But last season, Nuno surprised everyone. He guided Forest to a seventh-place finish in the Premier League. This achievement gave them qualification for the Europa League, something the club had not experienced for decades. For Forest fans, who had long been used to struggles, this was like a dream come true.

The city of Nottingham celebrated the return of European football. Supporters felt proud again, remembering the club’s great history under Brian Clough, when Forest won two European Cups back in the late 1970s. For a moment, it looked like the club was building a new chapter of success.

However, behind the scenes, things were not so smooth. Even as the team succeeded on the field, Nuno was becoming unhappy with how the club was being managed.

The Breakdown with the Owner

The biggest problem came from Nuno’s relationship with club owner Evangelos Marinakis. At first, their partnership seemed strong. Marinakis supported Nuno and extended his contract in June 2025 until 2028, showing trust in him.

But as the new season approached, disagreements started to grow. Nuno was frustrated with the transfer window. He felt the squad was not strong enough for the challenges of playing both in the Premier League and in Europe. Nuno wanted new signings, especially players who could add quality and depth. But he did not get the reinforcements he asked for.

This frustration soon became public. Nuno openly admitted that his relationship with the owner had “broken down”. He said they were no longer close and that things had changed between them. Such honesty is rare in football, but it also showed that the problems were very serious.

One incident that caught attention was when Marinakis walked onto the pitch after a match against Leicester City that ended in a draw. While the club later said it was not a confrontation, it gave the impression that the owner was interfering directly, something that often causes tension between managers and owners.

By the time the new season started, the situation had become too strained. Even though Nuno had signed a long contract, the trust between him and Marinakis was gone.

A Tough Start to the Season

On the pitch, Forest did not begin the 2025–26 season well. After some shaky results, they suffered a 3–0 home defeat to West Ham United, a result that increased pressure on Nuno. At that point, Forest were sitting in 10th place in the league—not terrible, but far below the excitement and expectations created after last year’s success.

Football is a results business, but it is also a business of relationships. With the team not flying high and with Nuno openly criticizing the club’s direction, the board felt there was no way forward. On September 9, 2025, the decision was made to sack him.

Why the Decision Was Made

From the outside, many fans still see the decision as harsh. After all, Nuno had just delivered the club’s best season in three decades. But inside the club, the breakdown between the manager and the owner made it difficult to continue.

When a coach and an owner do not share the same vision, it becomes hard to plan for the future. For example, Nuno wanted new signings, while Marinakis may have had different ideas about spending. Once the trust was lost, even success on the pitch could not save the situation.

Nuno’s public comments, such as saying “no smoke without fire,” about the rumors of problems, made things worse. By speaking so openly, he confirmed that the relationship had collapsed. For the club, that made his position weaker.

Forest’s Thanks and the Fans’ Feelings

In their official statement, Nottingham Forest thanked Nuno for his work. They praised him for bringing back excitement and giving fans unforgettable memories. Last season’s seventh-place finish and Europa League qualification will always be part of Forest’s history.

Many fans feel sad about the decision. They remember the energy Nuno brought and how he made them believe again. At the same time, some supporters also understand that the club needs stability, especially with the busy season ahead that includes European football.

What Happens Next for Forest

Now, Nottingham Forest face a big challenge. They must quickly find a new coach to lead them through a season where they will be competing in both the Premier League and the Europa League. Balancing domestic and European matches is not easy, especially for a squad that is not very deep.

The new coach will need to settle things quickly, keep the players focused, and make sure the team stays competitive. Fans will be watching closely to see how the club handles this moment.

What’s Next for Nuno Espirito Santo

As for Nuno, he will not be out of football for long. His career shows he is a capable coach. Before Forest, he managed Wolves in the Premier League and had great success there too, leading them to European football. He also had spells at Valencia and Porto earlier in his career.

His reputation as a coach remains strong, even if things ended badly at Forest. Many clubs across Europe could be interested in him.

The Bigger Picture in Football

This story also highlights a bigger truth about football: success alone is not enough. Managers need strong relationships with the people who run the club. If the coach and the owner cannot agree, sooner or later problems will appear.

Nuno’s case shows how fragile things can be. One season he was celebrated as a hero, and the next he is out of a job. Football moves fast, and stability often depends on trust and shared vision.

Nottingham Forest’s situation is also a reminder of how hard it is for clubs to climb back to the top. The history of the club is full of glory, but modern football requires careful planning, big investments, and harmony at every level.

The sacking of Nuno Espirito Santo is a major moment for Nottingham Forest. It ends a chapter that gave fans hope and pride, but also exposed how difficult relationships can be in football.

Forest now look ahead to life with a new coach, hoping to build on the progress made last season. Nuno, meanwhile, will move on to the next stage of his career, likely with another big club.

For the fans, this is a bittersweet moment—thankful for what Nuno achieved, but uncertain about what the future holds.

Forest sack manager